Coast Guard Rugby Fundraiser Honors Coast Guard Aviator #1
The Coast Guard Rugby Foundation launched a new fundraising effort this month in honor of the 105th anniversary of Commander Elmer Stone - Coast Guard aviator #1 -and his historic transatlantic flight that took place on May 31, 1919. This first flight is widely considered the beginning of Coast Guard aviation.
The Coast Guard Foundation partners with the Coast Guard Rugby Foundation to provide support for the service wide rugby teams.
Offered at $100 per purchase, proceeds from the sale of the special rugby jersey will support both the Coast Guard service rugby teams as they prepare and participate in the Armed Forces Rugby Championships this summer, and the Coast Guard Foundation spouse education grant program.
The jersey design, inspired by the transatlantic flight of Cdr. Elmer Stone, features:
• Cdr. Elmer Stone’s Coast Guard service portrait;
• a photo of the NC-4 aircraft that Cdr. Stone flew across the Atlantic;
• an image of the national security cutter named for Cdr. Stone;
• the stars and stripes from the American flag and the Cutter Stone’s seal.
Heritage jerseys may be ordered until June 15, with shipping expected to occur by the end of July.
A similar rugby jersey fundraiser in 2023, honoring the 89th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, raised more than $2,000 for the service rugby team and the Foundation’s spouse education grant program.
Photos courtesy of Coast Guard Rugby Foundation.
The Fine Print: The Coast Guard Foundation follows nonprofit industry best practices for cause marketing partnerships which require terms of this agreement be disclosed. Each jersey sells for $100 and is payable to the Coast Guard Rugby Foundation. At the conclusion of the fundraiser, Coast Guard Rugby Foundation will donate $35 to the Coast Guard Foundation for each jersey sold, with $30 designated for service wide rugby teams and $5 for the Coast Guard Foundation spouse education grant program. The minimum gift from Coast Guard Rugby Foundation will be $500, with a maximum donation of $5,000.
